2.5 meg/l is about as low as you want to go on Alk. I would like to see Alk at least at 3 meg/l. It helps insure it's not too low due to test kit/user error. Being in the middle of the "proper" ranges is best for this reason, and it will also allow for some fluctuation w/ out going too high or low.

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Do you think I could use a bag of Boyd's chemi-pure in the sock?

I've never used it, so I can't say. I prefer just a good AC like Marineland black diamond carbon.

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Also, do you think the SG is too high?

As Hara said, on a hydrometer I would go w/ about 1.024 to allow room for error here as well. Be sure to wash the hydrometer after every use and soak it occasionally w/ vinegar/water to remove Ca deposits, etc. Otherwise they can be very misleading.

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Today the leather isn't looking as bad as it had in the past couple of days

2.5 meg/l is about as low as you want to go on Alk. I would like to see Alk at least at 3 meg/l.

What are your thoughts on adding some Kent Marine Superbuffer to increase the Alk?

I've been keeping an eye on the leather a couple of times a day and it seems to be s-l-o-w-l-y coming out of it. It was so strange....this coral has been doing well over the past several months. In fact, it was getting so large I was thinking of trading it in on something a little smaller. When fully expanded, the top of it was the size of a dinner plate.

Thank you very much for all of the help.....this site has been so very helpful. I'm just thankful that you folks don't limit the number of questions that I can ask!

That should work. What I find is one of the best, cheapest, and easiest ways to increase Alk is to just use baking soda dissolved in some RO water(it's sodium bicarbonate). It will not cause any issues, and it is not uncommon among reefers to use it. Be sure to use baking SODA and NOT powder. This will generally not change PH, but if it does it may lower it a little bit. Don't increase Alk more than .5 meg/l a day. Here is a calculator to determine how much baking soda to use, or whatever product you may choose. http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html

PS- FWIW if you have low PH to begin w/, you can bake the baking soda, spread it in a cookie sheet, for about 45 mins at 400 deg. That will drive off excess CO2, etc. That means the new, baked baking soda will increase PH rather than lower it. Baking it will also alter the amount needed to raise Alk, so be sure to choose the proper one when using the calculator.

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I'm just thankful that you folks don't limit the number of questions that I can ask!

Your parameters, if accurate, do not seem to be worrisome in regards to your issue. Corals without a limestone skeleton do not benefit from high calcium levels to those that need to calcify. 2.5meq/L is in accordance to natural seawater and I have seen much lower with corals still doing well. Consistency is the major factor in husbandry efforts and in your case rapid supplement additions; however, IME this might have more to do with adequate flow. Oftentimes Sarco's will develop spots and/or pits on their tissue followed by a small rationing of brown jelly, which seems to follow suit with what you've documented. This can be especially detrimental during their shed and can even leave holes straight through the tissue. Even though the coral is in a "high-flow" area, sometimes a counter-current flow pattern is needed where the coral is randomly blown from different angles.
At this point, your best bet is to perform a water change, add carbon, and direct flow towards the coral to keep any detritus from settling into the infected area. Don't be afraid to use a toothbrush or turkey baster to remove any brown jelly from the infected area.